Friday’s rugby news has Wallabies trio still in doubt, Foley defending Slipper’s intercept pass, Kelly Slater to visit the Wallabies and All Blacks announce team for semi final.
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Trio Still in Doubt
Wallabies trio David Pocock, Israel Folau and Scott Sio are all still in doubt to play Argentina after failing to complete a training session.
Pocock (calf strain) sat out training and rode an exercise bike instead, while Folau ran for a short while but was unable to complete the training as he iced his injured ankle again.
Sio (elbow) also participated briefly but appears most likely out of the three to miss the match against the Pumas.
Cheika was optimistic about the chances of Folau and Pocock earlier in the week but if they are unfit then it is most likely they will be replaced by Kurtley Beale and Ben McCalman.
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Foley Defends Slipper
Wallabies prop James Slipper says he felt “sick in the stomach” after throwing an intercept pass which almost knocked Australia out of the World Cup. Slipper was saved by a match winning kick by Bernard Foley who defended Slipper for throwing the pass.
“Everyone is trying to criticise James for the pass but if you look at the outside there was a four-on-one overlap,” Foley said.
“That’s what this team is about. We want to be able to show that we play rugby, we don’t fear what could go wrong.
“We want to look at the opportunities we can create. We want our forwards throwing those passes and playing and intertwining with the backs, because that is ultimately going to make us more of a threatening team and keep defences guessing.”
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Slater to Visit Wallabies
The Wallabies are all expected to get a visit from 11 time world surfing champion Kelly Slater when they take on Argentina this weekend. Slater is friends with Aussie pro surfer Tom Whitaker who is the brother of ex-Wallaby Chris Whitaker.
In the lead up to the Wallabies semi final against Argentina, Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak also visited the Wallabies and watched one of their training sessions. Bryan Brown, Sam Neill and Mark Schwarzer have all been spotted in the Wallabies sheds post-match.
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All Blacks Name Side
Steve Hansen made one change to the team which annihilated France with Joe Moody coming in for Wyatt Crockett.
Joe Moody was called up into the squad after first choice prop Tony Woodcock suffered a hamstring injury ending his tournament.
Hansen has promised that it will be “a performance to be proud of”.
Team: Ben Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Julian Savea, Daniel Carter, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Joe Moody. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Victor Vito, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams.
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